07/01/2026
It is with very heavy hearts that we share the Rotary Club of Courtice has closed its doors as of June 30 2026.
This is an incredibly difficult post to write because for many of us these clubs were never just meetings, event posters, or fundraiser calendars. The Rotary Club of Courtice and the Interact Club of Clarington were made up of people who cared deeply about this community and who believed that if you saw a need, you did your best to help.
Over the years we had the privilege of being part of so many projects, events, partnerships and moments that mattered. We were proud to support food banks, youth programs, hospitals, mental health initiatives, hospice care, school communities, families in need and local organizations doing important work every single day. We were proud to take part in Canada Day celebrations, Terry Fox events, holiday concerts, dinners, auctions, raffles, celebrity server nights, golf tournaments, euchre nights, school supply drives, Thanksgiving meal campaigns, Christmas giving efforts and so many other opportunities to give back.
Some of that work was very visible and some of it happened more quietly, but all of it meant something.
We were able to help support families during the holidays, contribute to causes that mattered in our community, recognize young leaders, encourage youth through bursaries and service opportunities, support students with school supplies, collect food for local food banks, and partner with organizations that were already doing incredible work on the ground. We may not have changed the whole world, but we know we made a difference in our corner of it, and we are proud of that.
The Interact Club of Clarington was a huge part of that story. Watching young people step up to serve their community, organize projects, volunteer their time, support one another and learn what leadership looks like in action was one of the greatest privileges of all. Through food drives, bake sales, celebrity server events, school campaigns and community projects, those young people brought energy, compassion and heart to everything they did. They were not just helping out, they were making a real contribution and building a legacy of service of their own.
What stands out most as we look back is not just the events themselves, but the people behind them. It was the members who gave their time, the volunteers who always stepped up, the businesses who sponsored and donated, the partners who worked alongside us, the families and friends who supported us, and the people who bought tickets, dropped food in a bin, came out to events, shared our posts, made donations and encouraged us every step of the way. Again and again this community showed up for us, and because of that, we were able to show up for others.
There is real sadness in this ending because these clubs meant a great deal to many of us. They gave us purpose, friendships, memories, laughter, challenges, pride and the opportunity to do something that mattered. They gave us the chance to work with good people for good reasons, and there is something very special about that.
At the same time, there is also a great deal of gratitude. We are grateful for every member, past and present, every Interactor who chose to lead through service, every advisor, sponsor, donor, volunteer and community partner, and every opportunity we were given to help. Most of all, we are grateful that we were able to be part of this community’s story for as long as we were.
While the Rotary Club of Courtice and the Interact Club of Clarington may be coming to an end, the good that was done through them will not disappear. It lives on in the people who were helped, the young leaders who were encouraged, the organizations that were supported, the friendships that were built and the many acts of kindness that were made possible because people chose to care.
Thank you to everyone who believed in what these clubs stood for and helped make that work possible over the years.
It has been an honour to serve.
Service Above Self, always.
